Mounting structure



1962 D. BOHANNON ETI'AL 3,061,892

MOUNTING STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 26, 1957 INVENTORS DAVID L. BOHANNON EDWARD F. PARNELL. JR. EDWARD M. SHANKLIN JOHN G. WILLIAMSON ERNST P. NAGEL 4/ ATTORNEYS Nov- 6, 196 D. BOHANNON ETAL MOUNTING STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 7.

Filed Sept. 26, 1957 INVENTORS R MM LL 5 NM R E AAG N MM A R 0 WN o BEMW H LDD A DMM T MWMW Y EEJw B 3Q aesrssz Patented Nov. 6, 1962 This invention relates to a novel mounting structure, more particularly to a mounting structure to facilitate the positioning of auxiliary cleaning equipment on textile machinery.

A variety of situations exists in which it is desired to provide a mounting for a member which must be fixedly held in one of two alternative positions. Thus, in providing auxiliary cleaning equipment for textile machinery, it is often found desirable to so arrange this auxiliary equipment so that it may readily be moved between an operative position, and a maintenance position to permit maintenance of the auxiliary equipment without interfering with the machinery to which it is applied. The novel mounting here provided has been developed in connection with the problems specifically engendered in connection with the provision of suction ductwork of the Pneumalfil type, as applied to the spinning frames employed in the formation of textile yarns. The suction ductwork which includes an elongate suction tube, (known as a flute in the textile industry), having a series of spaced apertures therein, is provided adjacent the drafting rolls of the spinning frame and is arranged to pick up any broken yarn ends, as well as lint and fly in the ambient atmosphere. This flute must be mounted in a manner to permit movement thereof between an operative position adjacent the path of travel of the yarn strands, and must alternatively be movable to another position to permit maintenance, and cleaning of the flute and as sociated equipment. Flute movement by the operator from the operative position to the maintenance position must be with a minimum of effort, and once movement from either of the aforementioned positions is initiated, the flute must assume the alternative position. As with any machine elements, accumulations of foreign matter between the joints of the elements affect the functioning of the mounting.

It is with the above problems in mind that the present means has been evolved, means facilitating the mounting of a member in a manner to permit rapid movement of said member between two limiting positions, in each of which positions said member is positively held. The novel mounting means is of a lint-free construction and permits detachable securement of the supported member.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide an improved mounting means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mounting means permitting a member mounted by said means to be moved between two fixed positions in either of which said member is positively held.

A further object of this invention is to provide a simple mounting structure which offers little interference with the functioning of any members supported thereby.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a mounting structure to which a member to be supported may be removably secured.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple mounting structure, movable between two limiting positions, and having its moving parts maintained in a lint-free condition.

These and other objects of the invention, which will become apparent in the following disclosure and claims, are achieved by provision of an arm mounted on a base which may be secured at one end to any fixed member in conjunction with which it is desired to support the equipment held by the hereindisclosed novel mounting. This arm is provided at its free end with spring fingers adapted to removably engage the member to be supported. A spring biasing is provided for biasing the supported equipment to one of two limiting positions, and all of the aforedisclosed components are encased in a housing which presents a relatively dust-free surface and enclosure.

The specific constructional features of the novel mounting, and their mode of functioning will be made most manifest, and particularly pointed out in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 represents a perspective view of a portion of the drafting rolls of a spinning frame, showing a suction cleaning flute applied thereto, with said flute supported by the novel mounting structure of the invention; and

FIGURE 2 represents an enlarged plan view of one embodiment of the mounting structure of this invention; and

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the mounting structure, as seen in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view on line 44 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of this invention employing an over-center spring; and

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a view with parts broken away, of an alternative embodiment of the invention employing a U spring having a hump portion; and

FIGURE 9 is an exploded perspective view of the components of another embodiment of the invention, employing a relatively rigid mounting for the arm; and

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the mounting shown in FIGURE 9.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be taken to designate like parts.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the novel mounting structure 10 here provided is shown supporting a suction flute F of the Pneumafil type, adjacent the path of travel of the yarn strands Y as they leave the drafting rolls R of the spinning frame. Flute F is coupled by means of a flexible coupling C to the suction ductwork. Upon the breaking of a yarn strand, the broken end is sucked into the flute. Thereafter, repair of the broken yarn end, or clearing of lint from the drafting rolls R, necessitates moving of the flute P, so as to permit access to the yarn strand or drafting rolls by an operator.

The novel mounting 10, as best seen in FIGURE 1, is arranged to support the flute F in an operative position, as illustrated by solid line in the drawings, or in a downward maintenance position, as shown by dot-dash lines. The mounting structure here employed comprises a body 11 (here shown as elliptical in shape), preferably fabricated as a single unit from a castable material such as metal, plastic, or the like. The body 11 is formed with a central recess 12, and is provided at one end thereof with a spring socket 13. The recess 12 is arranged with bearing walls 14 at the end thereof removed from socket 13.

Arm 20, as best seen in FIGURES 2-5, is formed with a bearing end 21 and a free end 22. Bearing end 21 is tapered as seen in the drawings, and is provided with two flat bearing surfaces 23 arranged to mate with bearing walls 14 of recess 12. Pivot pin aperture 25 is formed adjacent bearing 21 in arm 20. As best seen in FIGURE 5, free end 22 is preferably made thinner than bearing end 21. Engaging fingers 27, formed of a spring 3 p like material such as spring steel, are secured by rivets 28 to the free end 22 of arm 20. Pivot pin 30 is passed through aperture 2.5 of arm into engagement with body 11. As best seen in FIGURE 5, pivot pin is secured with respect to body 11 and permits pivoting of arm 20 with respect thereto.

Within socket 13 of body 11, a coil spring is arranged in compression to force ball bearing 36 against bearing end 21 of arm 20.

The entire assembly is maintained in assembled relationship by means of a mounting body cover plate 38. This cover plate 38 is secured by means of rivets, screws, or the like fastening members 4% to body 11, as best seen in FIGURE 3.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 6 and 7, arm 40 is secured to over-center spring 41, which, at its free end, engages bearing surface 42 of supporting plate 43. A pivot pin 45 extends through pivot aperture 46 of mounting arm 4% into engagement in an aperture 47 of plate 43. In this embodiment of the invention, the arm 40 may be formed of a resilient spring-like material, whereby the heretofore described function of the spring fingers may be attained by the free end of arm 40.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URE 8, arm 50 is formed with a bearing end 51 and a free end 52, to which spring fingers 53 are secured by fastener 54. Arm 50 is pivotally secured by means of pivot pin 55 to body 56, having recess 57 formed therein. U spring 60 is arranged in recess 57, as seen in the drawing. The shape of the spring is such that the nose of bearing 51 must ride over the hump 62 of the spring 60 to assume either of two limiting positions, as seen in the drawing. Mounting cover plate 65 is secured to body 56 to maintain the components in assembled relationship, as shown.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 9 and 10, arm is provided with a bearing 71 for engagement with bearing spring 72 in either of two limiting positions. Arm 7% is secured at one end to a base portion 73 having a notched slot 75 adapted for securement to a spinning frame or the like. Spring 72 is formed with an engaging finger plate 74 of spring matetrial for securement to flute F, as best seen in FIGURE 10. Spring 72 has an upper bearing receiving portion 76 and a lower bearing receiving portion 77. Nub 80 constrains bearing 71 into lower bearing receiving portion 77, and cusp 81 retains the bearing in the bearing receiving portion 76.

Operation The above described mounting structure has applicability in any situation where it is desired to support a member in either of two selected positions.

For purposes of elucidation, the preferred embodiment of the inventive concept has been illustrated (in FIGURE 1) in conjunction with the mounting of suction cleaning flutes of the Pneumafil type. As previously men tioned, the positioning of these flutes adjacent the drafting rolls should be such as to permit ready movement of the flute from an operative position to a maintenance position; the flute being securely held in either of the aforementioned positions. This is best accomplished by closing off the ends of the flute with a cap having a pin P extending axially thereof. The novel mounting structure 10 is secured to the framework of the spinning frame by securing pin I. This securing pin 1 passes into a tapped recess T formed in the framework of the spinning frame.

Where the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 15 is employed, mounting plate 38 is secured to the framework of the spinning frame by passing securing pin I through the aperture shown at the upper right in FIGURE 2. A pair of these mounting structures is arranged, one on each side of each drafting box of the spinning frame beneath the drafting rolls R, With arm 20 extending outwardly to support flute F in the position shown in FIGURE 1. Spring fingers 27 on arm 20 are then outwardly displaced to permit pin P of flute F to be inserted therebetween. Upon release of the spring finger, flute F will be engaged and held in the position shown. In operative position, arm 20 is positioned as seen in FIGURE 2 maintaining flute F adjacent the path of travel of yarn end Y. Spring 35, acting against bearing 36, forces bearing end 21 of arm 20 to this position. When it is necessary or desirable to move the flute F to a position permitting access to the area in front of the rolls to permit piecing up of a broken end, or cleaning, manual pressure on flute F will overcome the spring pressure of spring 35 and permit the arm and the flute to be de pressed to the dot-dash position shown in FIGURES l and 2.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 6 and 7 functions similarly to the above described embodiment of the invention, save for the fact that spring 41 of the over-center type is employed to bias arm 40 to an upward or downward position. In this embodiment, the free end of arm 40 may function as the spring fingers for engaging the flute F.

The operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URE 8 is also as above described, save that coil spring 35 has been replaced by humped U spring 60 which serves to maintain arm 50 in either of two limiting positions.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 9 and 10, base 73 and its associated arm 70 are secured to the spinning machine framework. Spring 72 is arranged so that mounting plate 73 engages flute F. Thereafter, movement of flute F between an operative and maintenance position is accomplished by forcing the spring 72 to slide on hearing 71, as shown in FIGURE 10.

It will thus be seen that a novel supporting structure has been provided, functioning to securely support a member in either of two limiting positions. The novel mounting structure is of an extremely simple nature, particularly adapted for use in supporting members employed in situations where accumulations of lint and the like foreign matter interfere with the normal operation of moving parts.

' The above disclosure has been given by way of illustration and elucidation, and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protect all embodiments of the herein disclosed inventive concept within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A mounting for alternatively supporting equipment in either of two limiting positions, said mounting comprising: a base adapted for fixed securement with respect to machinery in conjunction with which the equipment is to be employed; an arm mounted on said base; spring acting engaging means on said arm gripping the supported equipment; and spring means engaging said arm to alternatively bias the supported equipment to either one of two limiting positions.

2. A mounting for alternatively supporting equipment in either of two limiting positions, said mounting comprising: a base adapted for fixed securement with respect to a machine; an arm pivotally mounted on said base; spring means on said base alternatively biasing said arm to either one of two limiting positions; and spring acting engaging means on said arm for engaging the supported equipment.

3. On a yarn fabricating frame having drafting rolls, and a suction flute with apertures aligned with the path of travel of the yarn through said frame, a mounting for alternatively supporting said flute in either an operative limiting position or a maintenance limiting position, said mounting comprisingi a base adapted for securement to the frame, said base having a recess and socket formed therein; a coil spring in said socket; a ball bearing in said socket abutting against said spring; an arm pivgtally secured to said base in said recess; a healing end on said arm contacting said ball bearing and acted on by said spring; a free end on said arm extending outwardly from said base; spring fingers on the free end of said arm; and a mounting cover plate on said base covering said recess. 5

References Cited in the fiie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 324,444 Wolf Aug. 18, 1885 10 

